Work resumes at Squamish debris barrier after temporary halt | CBC News
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The construction of a massive flood debris barrier in Squamish, B.C., was halted during a recent atmospheric river.
The $115-million barrier is being built to withstand 2.8 million cubic metres of debris flow from the flanks of Nch’ḵay̓ (Mount Garibaldi) through the Cheekye River.
The District of Squamish confirmed that during the most recent atmospheric river, which ended on March 20, a temporary river bypass system became overwhelmed.
“Water flowed through the barrier instead of the diversion, requiring the repair work to temporarily halt,” said a district spokesperson.
Back in January, when the barrier was 75 per cent complete, Squamish council heard the barrier suffered substantial erosion and damage to the concrete at the base.
“Three debris events have been observed since the start of construction over the last 18 months,” states the report.
A debris flow event in September 2025 washed out the one-metre-thick alluvial fill that was protecting the concrete in the outlet slot of the barrier.
“Subsequent river flows caused erosion of the concrete base, which progressed through the winter,” said a spokesperson.
As repairs were underway, the river flow was being diverted over the barrier.
The proposed debris-flow barrier is approximately 24 metres tall and is sized to manage a debris flow with a total volume of 2.8 million cubic metres.
The Cheekye Fan is an alluvial fan, where alluvial sedimentation and material from debris flows and debris floods accrue over time.
A report to the council back in 2023 stated up to a 5.5. million cubic metre debris flow event could come from the flanks of Nch’ḵay̓.
The barrier is a symmetrical gravity dam with a 45-degree inclined slope that allows the river to flow through, but restricts debris.
Environment Canada meteorologist Ken Dosanjh said 204 millimetres of rain fell in Squamish over five days.
A prolonged atmospheric river is surprising experts. It prompted a flood watch in the Sea-to-Sky region, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. As the CBC’s Alanna Kelly reports, the Sea-to-Sky region has been belted with rain for back-to-back days.
“In that five-day time span, we saw 83 per cent of our total monthly rainfall,” Dosanjh said. “It was quite rare.”
Since the atmospheric river, construction work has resumed.
Housing development with 1,395 units
Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments Ltd. (SSSD), which is a partnership between Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and a Squamish-based developer, Matthews West, are building the barrier and fully funding it.
The Cheekeye River development, a mixed-density housing neighbourhood that includes single-family lots, townhouses and commercial space, is being built on land that is located on the Cheekye Fan debris flow area in Brackendale.
In order to mitigate debris flow risks to the development site, as well as the Cheekye Fan as a whole, SSSD has been required to fund the construction of the barrier.
In June 2025, the total development was brought to 1,395 units. The development application was first received in 2013.
Ownership changing this summer
The capital construction cost of the barrier was estimated to be $89 million. John Matthews, president of Matthews West, said in an email the estimated cost is now $115 million.
A report to council on Oct. 7, 2025 from Reann Sousa, the director of financial operations for the District of Squamish, said once the barrier is completed the district “will begin to incur costs that will require funding by General Property Tax and Local Area Service Tax.”
The ownership is expected to be transferred to the district in July.
The District of Squamish will be the local diking authority for the barrier and responsible for associated funding for operations and maintenance costs once construction is complete.
“All construction costs, including any changes that arise during construction, are the developer’s responsibility,” said a district spokesperson.
Over a 100-year time frame, Sousa said the district will be responsible for estimated annual costs of $540,000 for operations and maintenance, planned capital expenditures of $515,000, and a restoration reserve of $354,000.
“The District is working with the developer to determine whether the outlet base repairs will affect the future operations and maintenance costs,” said a spokesperson.
Matthews said in an email that “there will be no change to the operations and maintenance costs that have been established by the District of Squamish” and the project remains on time.
District staff will present an update to council on April 7.